Postpartum poop is probably an awkward topic for most people, but hey! The first poop after childbirth is a real challenge that can be uncomfortable and painful! And we have to talk about it.
Learning about the first postpartum poop is a good way to understand how to do it right.
When I was pregnant, something I heard repeatedly was how dreadful the first poop after childbirth can be.
Okay, I thought, but why?
Why is the first poop after giving birth painful?
Well, I learned that there could be a few things that cause pain while pooping postpartum and I listed some reasons below.
Soreness
The most obvious reason why it would be painful is because YOU JUST FREAKING PUSHED OUT A BABY! Obviously your whole area is going to be extremely sore (no shit, sherlock).
I’ve heard people describe childbirth as running a marathon, and running a marathon isn’t easy.
Preparing your mind and body for a childbirth marathon is also not easy, and no matter how much you prepare, everything is still going to be stretched and swollen. Your body endures intense pressure on your pelvic floor as you push your baby through the birth canal. As a result, your body will still be very tired and very sore.
Honestly, after giving birth to a baby, the last thing you want to do is give birth to another mini baby 💩😂
Tearing
Next, many women experience minor/major vaginal tearing or an episiotomy and may require stitches. And that tear, just like any other cut or wound, causes tenderness until it is healed. Some women may be concerned about their stitches coming out during a bowel movement. Rest assured, this rarely happens. And although I was lucky enough not to need stitches, I was still scared to poo after birth!
Don’t worry! Whether you need to know how to poop after giving birth with stitches or how to poop without stitches, the process and tips are the same.
Hemorrhoids/Anal Fissures
You could have also developed possible hemorrhoids or anal fissures during your pregnancy or during childbirth. I hate these! They are awful. This can cause painful bowel movements and cause bloody stools. If this is the case, talk to your doctor or midwife to find the best solution for you. Treatments range between diet modifications, medications, topical creams, and more.
What about your first poop after c-section?
Now, you might be thinking, “Well Miss Mica,” (that’s my name 🙂) “I’m going to have a c-section. I’m not pushing a baby out of me, so I won’t be tearing, and maybe I have hemorrhoids from pregnancy, but maybe not. So this dreaded poop prep doesn’t apply to me, right?
WRONG.
My sister has only ever had c-sections, and she HATES the first poop!
Sometimes the medications given to you at the hospital can slow down your digestive system and cause constipation. You also naturally use your stomach muscles while you poo, but you will be recovering from abdominal surgery, which can make pooping more difficult.
Whether it’s your first poop after c-section, your first poop after an epidural, or your first poop after a natural birth, it’s never a fun time. When it comes to your postpartum poop, it’s best to err on the side of caution and be prepared for constipation.
After hearing how pooing was the worst from literally everybody, I was a little bit nervous. In order to prepare, there were some things I did that you can do too.
Postpartum Poop: My Experience
Now, my little boy was born on a Tuesday at 1:57 am, and my first poo post birth didn’t come until two days later on Thursday evening.
I made sure to stay hydrated by drinking enough water. Water helps to soften your poo. If you are dehydrated, it is easier for you to become constipated.
Not only did I drink water, but I also drank a ton of apple juice. And I mean a TON. Not just throughout my labor, but also after my baby arrived in order to help with a smooth bathroom visit.
I love apple juice. It is my favorite type of juice and I probably drink it way too often. But it tastes even better knowing that it provides some hydration and “may provide you with a very gentle laxative effect,” says Ashley Marcin from Healthline.com. If you aren’t a fan of apple juice, you can also try prune juice or pear juice.
After my baby was born, I did drink one glass of water with Kirkland Signature Psyllium Fiber powder in it. Personally, I wasn’t a fan and I don’t even think I finished the glass. I had a hard time drinking it fast enough- if I waited too long, the mixture would become thick and slimy. Didn’t love that, but that’s just my own pickiness when it comes to textures (my husband has used this powder before and it has worked well for him).
So don’t knock it till you try it! You might love it!
My First Poo
For me, the first poo was a piece of chocolate cake. I’m not sure if it was the apple juice, water, the single glass of water with psyllium fiber powder, or a combination of all three, but something I did worked well. I couldn’t have been happier with the way it turned out.
(Honestly, I’m pretty sure the apple juice was my secret weapon, but that’s just my own intuition 😛 )
I thought, “Gee! I’m glad that’s behind me!”
Literally.
However, many of the following bowel movements in the later days/weeks were uncomfortable, which no one warned me about. No one ever mentioned that the second poo would be painful, or the fourth poo would be painful, or even the seventh!
And peeing? Man, that burned! The simple act of peeing would make my eyes water. And again, NO ONE mentions painful urination postpartum.
My favorite things that I did daily to battle the pains of postpartum poop.
- I continued to drink apple juice and water. This was my bread and butter! I loooooove me some apple juice and it worked like a charm.
- I tried to go as soon as I felt the need– if you wait too long, it can cause constipation which makes the experience worse, so it’s better not to procrastinate your bowel movements. Also make sure to be relaxed and let gravity do its thing. Straining is a huuuge no no and I had to remind myself to take my time. Don’t rush the beautiful process haha.
- I loved putting my feet up on a stool of some sort or a Squatty Potty. Honestly, I used bed risers hahaha! There’s lots of random things you can try. But by doing this, you change the angle of your colon, opening it more effectively which creates a faster and easier experience than sitting normally. Once I started putting my feet up, I’ve never looked back.
- I incorporated a stool softener called Dulcolax that came in the form of a pill. This was easier and more convenient for me than powder I mentioned above, but I didn’t use the powder long enough to tell you if it was more or less effective than the pill I took. How long to take stool softener after birth is usually outlined on the product details or label. Your doctor/midwife will usually let you know as well what they think you should do. My sister used MiraLAX during her postpartum journey (she’s only had C-sections) and she swears that it’s the best stool softener after birth, but I personally did not try it.
- I made sure to move my body throughout the day, walking around the house or outside (don’t do more than you can handle. Take it slow). But this is very good for recovery and also great to get the digestive system up and running.
- Padsicles GALORE! These were a lifesaver for me and provided much needed relief before and after going to the bathroom. They were a cool mix of aloe vera, witch hazel, and lavender oil that I easily made from home (actually my husband made them for me, bless his heart) and I used them all day. every day. for weeks. LOVED THEM.
There were other tricks that I tried, but the ones I mentioned above were the things that I was religious about. I wanted to do every single day no matter what! I felt like they made the biggest difference for me personally. However, if you want to know about the other tricks and see if there’s something else that will work for you, these are the 13 tips that will help you poop after birth.
As I continued doing these things throughout most of my postpartum recovery, I found the process of pooping postpartum to be, well, easy. Which is what you want of course. And hopefully there is something in here that helps make it easier for you too.
This post was all about postpartum poop and how to do it right.
Leave a Reply